Ahmedabad: In a move aimed at strengthening the fight against narcotics smuggling, Gujarat Police is set to introduce out-of-turn promotions for officers and personnel who play a significant role in detecting and cracking major drug smuggling cases.Director General of Police (DGP) G S Malik told TOI, “A policy draft is being prepared which aims to recognise and reward police personnel who risk their lives in busting drug smuggling networks and conduct anti-narcotics drives.”The announcement comes ahead of International Anti-Drugs Day and reflects the state’s focus on incentivising exceptional work against drug syndicates.Sources in the DGP office said a preliminary list of eligible officers has been drawn up and was under scrutiny before being sent to the state govt for approval. Officials indicated that only officers with clean service records and no pending departmental inquiries or disciplinary proceedings would be considered for the special promotions.The proposed policy comes amid an intensified crackdown on narcotics trafficking across Gujarat. Over the last five years, police have registered more than 3,700 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and arrested 5,346 people. During the same period, enforcement agencies seized over 136 tonnes of narcotics valued at more than Rs 13,600 crore.Police officials said Gujarat’s extensive coastline has frequently been targeted by international drug syndicates seeking to use the state as a transit point. However, specialised agencies such as the Anti-Narcotics Task Force, Anti-Terrorist Squad, Special Operations Group and district police units have successfully intercepted several major consignments and dismantled smuggling networks.Deputy chief minister Harsh Sanghavi said sustained enforcement action has made drug traffickers wary of using Gujarat as a transit route. Malik added that recent crackdowns have significantly weakened several international smuggling networks operating through the state.Senior police officers believe the proposed promotion policy will boost morale within the force and encourage more officers to pursue complex drug investigations. They said the initiative sends a strong message that outstanding efforts in protecting society from the drug trade will be recognised and rewarded.Officials stressed that the state’s anti-drug strategy extends beyond seizures and arrests. Alongside enforcement, agencies are focusing on strengthening intelligence gathering, improving conviction rates and expanding efforts to prevent substance abuse among youth.With the proposed incentive policy, Gujarat Police hopes to further energise frontline officers in what authorities describe as a long-term battle against organised drug trafficking and addiction, said a senior cop.Narit: Gujarat’s AI weapon against drug networksAhmedabad: Gujarat Police’s technology-driven fight against narcotics received a major boost with the deployment of Narit (Narcotics Analysis & RAG-based Investigation Tool), an artificial intelligence-powered platform designed to strengthen investigations into drug trafficking networks. Gujarat has become the first state in the country to use such a system for profiling narcotics offenders, said a senior cop. The software was launched in April.Developed to accelerate intelligence gathering, Narit can analyse an accused person’s criminal background within seconds and generate detailed profiles. The platform integrates information on past offences, known associates, financial transactions and suspected international links, enabling officers to build a comprehensive picture of a suspect’s activities.Police officers use the tool to uncover connections between local drug peddlers and larger trafficking syndicates. Narit can also assist in mapping communication patterns and analysing digital evidence collected during investigations, helping investigators identify previously hidden links within organised drug networks.According to police officers, the software supports a “top-to-bottom” investigation approach. Rather than limiting action to street-level dealers, investigators can use the platform to trace the supply chain and identify suppliers, financiers and key operators who orchestrate narcotics operations.Narit also helps officers examine chargesheets and evidence gathered under the NDPS Act, allowing them to identify gaps, strengthen case documentation and improve the quality of prosecution. Officers believe the technology will contribute to higher conviction rates by enabling more evidence-based investigations.Head: War against drugs• Gujarat became the first state to introduce policy to reward a police personnel and informants who help bust drug network• Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) established to target drug syndicates• Local police stations empowered to register and investigate narcotics cases directly• District-level anti-narcotics cells to strengthen surveillance• Better enforcement of law in reflected from rise in number of cases that rose from 315 in 2020 to 584 in the first five months of 2026• Several international smuggling routes operating through Gujarat’s coastline busted
